Cuba man pleads guilty to Alfred robbery - kidnapping charges dismissed

Steven Cox

A Cuba man who kidnapped two people in Alfred and then forced them to drive away in an attempt to escape has pleaded guilty in Allegany County court to first-degree robbery. Thirty-seven year old Steven Cox entered his plea Thursday. This is a summary of the crime as provided in a press release from the Allegany County District attorney:
On November 14, 2018, the release said, Cox "knowingly and unlawfully entered the Economy Inn in Alfred to commit the crime of robbery. He threatened two victims while he brandished a 13-inchknife and had his face covered to conceal his identity." The release states further that "he stole checks and money , then made the victims get in their car and drive him to Andover. While in Andover, one of the victims told the defendant that her car needed gas and she stopped at a gas station. The victims were able to escape and called police while the defendant took the car and fled." A massive multi-state manhunt ensued and Cox was taken into custody just over the state line in Pennsylvania. Cox will be sentenced June 5th in Allegany County court.